In the important game against 1. FC Köln, FC Augsburg presented themselves as a relegated team in the first half. The future of Trainer Herrlich seems open.
Much has been said about the importance of this game. Because the FC Augsburg In the past few weeks there were several opportunities to move away from the relegation zone significantly, he faced the 1. FC Cologne really under pressure. FCA Sports Managing Director Stefan Reuter had spoken of a “six-point game”. Neither he nor coach Heiko Herrlich seem to have conveyed to the players what is at stake. There was no other explanation for the dispassionate appearance of the FCA in the first half.
After the 2: 3 (0: 3) defeat against the direct competitor is Augsburg not only in the middle of the relegation battle, even the whereabouts of the coach now seems questionable. It is possible that those responsible around President Klaus Hofmann will be forced to act this weekend in order to stop the downward trend in the last three Bundesliga games.
The FCA line-up changed splendidly to eight positions
Before the game against Cologne, coach Herrlich ordered rotation. Compared to the defeat in Frankfurt, the 49-year-old changed his starting line-up in a number of positions, only goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz, central defender Reece Oxford and midfielder Carlos Gruezo remained. Among other things, Alfred Finnbogason was on the pitch for the first time since mid-January, against Frankfurt he had miserably missed the chance to hit the next goal with a missed penalty.
This is the FCA squad for the 2020/21 season
Photo: Ulrich Wagner
Finnbogason should not score against Cologne either because, like his teammates, he did not achieve anything edifying in the first half. The guests, on the other hand, made it clear what a pleasing passing game and goal hazard look like. After the success against RB Leipzig, they sensed their chance to take the next step in relegation in Augsburg. In addition, the Cologne team showed that you can convince playfully, not just combatively. Ellyes Skhiri crossed straight into the penalty area, Ondrej Duda completed volley with a dream goal for an early lead (8th).
FCA coach Herrlich watched his team’s performance motionless
Anyone who believed that at least if they were behind, the Augsburgers would be aware of their situation, was mistaken. Without putting any pressure on the players leading the ball, the FCA professionals let Cologne go. The consequences of this were foreseeable. The guests pushed the ball to each other 20 times before they scored the 2-0 through Florian Kainz (23rd).
Also listen to our podcast with Florian Niederlechner from September 2020:
FCA coach The amazement at the performance of his team was marvelous to see, worry lines furrowed his face, while he watched the goings-on on the pitch mostly without emotion. And it got worse for him. After a cross pass from Marius Wolf, Duda tied the brace, the ball hit the top right to make it 3-0 (33rd). Immediately before and after the break, Herrlich swapped staff, Jan Moravek, Robert Gumny and Fredrik Jensen came into play.
Another picture in the second half: FCA is pushing for compensation
Gumny should appear immediately, with his goal to 1: 3 he breathed life into the FCA. His goal was the reward for an active phase after the break. Jensen and Gumny ensured a lot of activity on the right attacking side. It is no coincidence that the Augsburg follow-up hit came from a preparatory work by Jensen. Ruben Vargas sprinted towards the ball and converted from close range to 2: 3 (62nd).
The belief returned among the Augsburgers that despite the catastrophic first half they could still take something countable with them. Cologne wavered now, while the FCA came closer and closer to equalizing. After a header from Gumny, Augsburg had the scream on their lips, Skhiri prevented the 3: 3 (72nd) with a rescue operation on the goal line. A few minutes later, André Hahn put the ball just next to the left post of the guest rod.
The Cologne lurked on the one counterattack with which they could decide the game; the Augsburgers ran up with vehemence. However, in the last minutes of the game, they lacked the brilliant idea to bring the now more densely staggered Cologne into distress. The mortgage for the first half turned out to be too big.
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